24 Squirrel Families Are Native Canadians Who Don’t Migrate South for Winters

Canadians Forever

Of the 24 Canadian squirrel species, most are below ground nesters who tunnel under when cold weather approaches so they can enjoy an undisturbed hibernation. Six species nest in cavities found in large trees and don’t actually hibernate, although they store a great amount of supplies to nourish them through the winter. Canadian squirrels are very industrious mammals with keen senses of humor and foxy intellect. Among the tree species we can find the Flying Squirrel, who can glide an amazing distance due to his natural “wing flap” skin extensions. The Flying Squirrels are usually a dark brown with minor black tracings in the fur.

Most common squirrels dealt with at Liddle Rascals

Eastern grey squirrels commonly occur in two colour phases, grey and black, which leads people to think—mistakenly—that there are two different species.

Science has not explained in detail why the gray squirrel is the shortest lived, with its average life span being less than six months. The explanation does not seem due to the gray squirrel’s size or speed. Fortunately, all squirrel types reproduce easily and in abundance, and though they are born tiny defenseless hairless specimen, if their home is not raided by a predator, they grow rapidly and nourish well. Gestation, or pregnancy, takes 40 to 44 days. An average of three young are born. It usually takes about eight weeks for the young squirrels to start venturing out of the nest on their own.

Red Squirrel

The red squirrel is somewhat smaller than the eastern grey squirrel and weighs between 400 and 800 g (14 oz. to 1.8 lbs.) The long tail helps the squirrel to balance and steer when jumping from tree to tree and running along branches, and may also keep the animal warm during sleep. The underside of the squirrel is always a white-cream colour and its top coat is reddish brown. The red squirrel sheds its coat twice a year. Red squirrels prefer pine and spruce trees.
The red squirrel eats mostly the seeds of trees, neatly stripping conifer cones to get at the seeds within. It also eats nuts- especially hazelnuts but also beech and chestnuts – berries and young shoots

Canadians Appreciate Little Creatures

It is inherent to the native Canadian citizen that animals, large and small, are protected and respected; however, one can have entirely too much of a good thing, and squirrel populations can rival bats, nuisance birds, skunks and raccoons when it comes to nuisance DNA traits. Scott Liddle, owner and operator of Liddle Rascals Animal Control, has devoted his life long career to humane and uber-fast squirrel removal service plus removal of any problem animal, encroaching upon your home and family.